Method and apparatus for hanging pictures and other wall

ABSTRACT

A fastening device is provided for hanging a picture or other wall object on a wall. The fastening device includes a clear, flexible, non-resilient carrier having at least two mounting hooks in parallel alignment which are secured to the carrier for engaging wire mounting means on the back of the picture or wall object. This permits the device to be used on irregularly shaped or curved walls or walls with imperfections. Alignment grooves may be provided at opposite ends of the carrier to facilitate proper alignment of the carrier on the wall. Affixation means in the form of either a nail or adhesive mounts are provided for affixing the carrier to the wall. A leveling device, preferably a bubble level, may be included in the carrier. A companion method for hanging the picture or other wall object on a wall using the subject fastening device is further provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Related Application

[0002] This is a continuation in part application of co-pendingapplication S/N 10/285,923 filed on Nov. 1, 2002 entitled Method andApparatus for Hanging Pictures and Other Wall Objects.

[0003] 2. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to method and apparatusfor hanging pictures and other wall objects on a wall and, moreparticularly, to a fastening device for hanging such pictures and otherwall objects that can quickly and easily facilitate the level hanging ofthe picture or other object on the wall.

[0005] 3. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] Since time in memoriam, people have been hanging pictures andother objects on walls, initially using nails and subsequently moresophisticated picture hangers. Typically, this is accomplished by theuse of one or more picture hangers that are inserted into the wall whichare adapted to engage a wire on the back of a picture or other object inorder to secure it to the wall. These picture hangers are frequently ofthe type having an upper portion which issued includes an aperturethrough which a nail may be inserted for attaching the hanger to thewall and a lower portion which includes a hook for engaging the wire onthe back of the picture.

[0007] While one hook or fastening device can adequately secure apicture or other object to a wall, it is preferable to use at least twohooks or fastening devices to insure that the picture or object which isbeing hung is adequately secured to the wall and maintained in properalignment.

[0008] The prior art is replete with examples of fastening devices orhooks which come in a variety of different shapes, sizes andconfigurations. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,510 which issuedon Dec. 30, 1980 to R. P. Radecki for Aid for Hanging Pictures; U.S.Pat. No. 4,384,648 which issued on May 24, 1983 to L. Hart et al. forEasy Mount Picture Package; U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,761 which issued on Dec.15, 1987 to E. T. Wassell for Picture Hanging Assembly; U.S. Pat. No.5,303,895 which issued on Apr. 19, 1994 to H. E. Hart for Apparatusesand Methods for Hanging Frames; U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,760 which issued onDec. 5, 1995 to D. R. Farris for Picture Frame Locator; U.S. Pat. No.5,509,213 which issued on Apr. 23, 1996 to M. H. Kelly et al. forPicture Frame Hanger Aid and Aligning Device; and U.S. Pat. No.4,867,917 which issued on Feb. 9, 1999 to D. R. Karon for Picture FrameLocating Device.

[0009] Similarly, the incorporation of a leveling device, preferably abubble leveling device in such a fastening device is also well known.See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,681 which issued on Jul. 18, 1978to B. L. Hollander for Picture Frame Leveling Device; U.S. Pat. No.4,208,802 which issued on Jun. 24, 1980 to S. R. Berndt for LevelIndicating Device for Wall-Mounted Pictures; U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,957which issued on Oct. 2, 1984 to R. E. Falukner for Device for Locating aFrame Hanger; U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,185 which issued on Mar. 10, 1987 toU. L. Brandimarte for Leveling Tool; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,094 whichissued on Jul. 31, 1990 to J. G. Depiano et al. for Picture FrameLeveling Tool; U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,574 which issued on Apr. 14, 1992 toK. K. Levy for Measuring Tool for Hanging Up Pictures and the Like; U.S.Pat. No. 5,451,027 which issued on Sep. 19, 1995 to R. McHenry forPicture Hanging Device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,817 which issued on Nov. 7,1995 to R. A. Leeds for Picture Frame Leveling Device; U.S. Pat. No.5,802,729 which issued on Sep. 8, 1998 to P. D. O'Brien et al. forApparatus for Assisting in Positioning Hanging Articles; U.S. Pat. No.6,092,362 which issued on Feb. 29, 2000 for Alignment Device; U.S. Pat.No. 6,138,369 which issued on Oct. 31, 2000 to U. Mushin for LevelIndicator for a Wall-Mounted Fixture; U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,669 whichissued on Mar. 27, 2001 for Wall Hanging Level; U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,151which issued on S. Hale on Jul. 10, 2001 for Shelving Unit With InternalLeveling Indicator; U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,802 which issued on Sep. 11,2001 to L. C. Munson for Hanger System having Bubble Level Insert; andU.S. Pat. No. 6,305,093 which issued on Oct. 23, 2001 for Hanger Tool ToFacilitate Centering And Hanging Of A Component.

[0010] While each of these patents disclose a form of fastening device,some with leveling means, all are extremely complicated, expensive, andfrequently difficult to actually use. This is in stark contrast with thefastening device of the present invention which simply and inexpensivelypermits the secure and level hanging of a picture with no training andat a fraction of the cost of many of these devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Against the foregoing background, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a fastening device for hanging a picture orobject on a wall.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide such afastening device which is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide sucha fastening device that may also include automatic leveling means.

[0014] To the accomplishments of the foregoing objects and advantages,the present invention, in brief summary, comprises a fastening devicefor hanging a picture or other wall object on a wall. The fasteningdevice including a carrier having at least two mounting hooks inparallel alignment which are secured to the carrier for engaging wiremounting means on the back of the picture or wall object. Affixationmeans in the form of either a nail or adhesive mounts are provided foraffixing the carrier to the wall. A leveling device, preferably a bubblelevel, may be included in the carrier. A companion method for hangingthe picture or other wall object on a wall using the subject fasteningdevice is further provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will be more apparent from the detailed explanation ofthe preferred embodiments of the invention in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a rear view through a wall showing the manner in whichthe fastening device of the present invention is used to hang a pictureon the wall.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a front view of the fastening device of the presentinvention.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side view of the fastening device of FIG. 2.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of thefastening device of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a side view of the fastening device of FIG. 4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to FIGS. 1-3thereof, the fastening device of the present invention, referred togenerally by reference numeral 10, is illustrated as it may be used inactually attaching a picture 12 to a wall 14. The picture 12 beingattached is the type having a pair of eyelets 16 and a wire 18 attachedto both eyelets to permit hanging of the picture using any fasteningdevice including the fastening device 10 of the present invention. Thefastening device 10 of the present invention includes a pair offastening hooks 20 which are mounted on or secured to a mounting carrier22, preferably by an adhesive or glue.

[0022] As better shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fastening hooks 20 areconventional picture hanger hooks 20 of the type having a substantiallyflat back portion 30 include an aperture 32 contained in the upperportion of the back portion 30 and a raised retaining or hook portion 34which serves to engage and capture the wire 18 on the back of thepicture or wall object 12 (see FIG. 1). A nail or fastening element 40having an enlarged head 42 is provided and is adapted to pass throughthe aperture 32 contained in the hook 20.

[0023] Mounting carrier 22 can be fabricated from a flexible,non-resilient, plastic or cardboard material and hooks 20 are secured tothe carrier 22 by a conventional adhesive material. In a preferredembodiment, the carrier is clear so that the user can visually see anyimperfections in the wall. It is important that the mounting carrier 22be relatively soft and pliable to permit the nail 40 to be easily driventhrough the carrier 22 with simple pressure. Similarly, the carriershould be non-resilient so as to permit conformity to the wall and anyimperfections thereon. Flexibility of the carrier further permits themounting carrier 22 to be used on walls with irregular surfaces or oncurved walls since the flexibility of the carrier will accommodate theirregularity of the surfaces or the curve of the walls or anyimperfections thereon.

[0024] Each of the ends of the carrier 22 include alignment V-shapedgrooves 22A which assist the user in properly aligning the carrier onthe wall. For example, the user can mark a line on the wall where theywant to mount the picture. The marked line would be visible through theclear carrier 22 which can be perfectly aligned by aligning the markedline with the alignment V-shaped grooves 22A at the ends of the carrier22.

[0025] It will be appreciated that the fastening device 10 can come in avariety of different sizes depending upon the size of the picture to behung and the size of the carrier 22 will vary in length depending uponthe ultimate size of the device 10. The most common size will beapproximately three inches long which should accommodate most pictures.As the art object gets bigger, however, the size of the device willincrease proportionally.

[0026] It will be appreciated that while the drawings all depict a pairof hooks 20 mounted on a single carrier 22, there may be instances whereit is necessary to use more than two hooks 20, e.g., where the weight ofthe picture or object is such as to require greater support. Similarly,there may be instances in which one cannot use a nail 40 to penetratethe wall 14. In such instances, the nail 40 may be eliminated and areleasable adhesive means (not shown) is attached to the rear of thecarrier 22 for securing the carrier to the wall 14.

[0027] As shown perhaps best in FIG. 3, the fastening device 10 of thepresent invention is employed by positioning the carrier 22 on the wall14 in an appropriate position. The clear nature of the carrier 22permits the device to accommodate irregularities on the wall and be usedwith curved and irregularly shaped walls. The user may first want toplace a line of the wall before mounting the device which is visiblethrough the clear carrier and then aligned with the alignment grooves22A at the end of the carrier 22. It is secured to the wall by drivingthe nail 40 through the hook 20 and the carrier 22 into the wall using ahammer or other driving tool. After both nails 40 are driven into thewall 14, the picture may be hung by securing the wire 18 to the hookportion 34 of the hooks 20.

[0028]FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention where a leveling device 50 is incorporated into the carrier22. The leveling device 50 can be virtually any type of leveling devicebut a particularly preferred device is a bubble level as depicted in thedrawings due to the inexpensive cost and facility of use. In such amanner, the user would check the leveling 50 prior to securing thecarrier 22 to the wall 14 to insure that the device 10 and both hooks 20mounted thereon are level. This will insure that any picture or wallobject mounted using the device of the present invention is similarlylevel.

[0029] Having thus described the invention with particular reference tothe preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Wherefore, I claim:
 1. A fastening device for hanging a picture or otherwall object on a wall, said device including: a soft and pliable carrierfabricated from a clear, flexible and non-resilient material selectedfrom the group consisting of plastic, paper and cardboard; at least twomounting hooks in parallel alignment secured to said carrier forengaging wire mounting means on the back of said picture or wall object;and affixation means for affixing said carrier to the wall.
 2. Thefastening device of claim 1, where said carrier includes an alignmentgroove at opposite ends thereof to facilitate proper alignment of thecarrier on the wall.
 3. The fastening device of claim 1, where saidaffixation means are nails which can be driven through said mountinghooks and pliable carrier to affix the device to the wall.
 4. Thefastening device of claim 1, wherein said affixation means is areleasable adhesive material for affixing the carrier to the wall. 5.The fastening device of claim 1, wherein said mounting means furtherinclude a leveling device.
 6. The fastening device of claim 5, whereinsaid leveling device is a bubble level.
 7. The fastening device of claim1, wherein said hooks are secured to the carrier by glue.
 8. A fasteningdevice for hanging a picture or other wall object on a wall, said deviceincluding: a soft and pliable carrier fabricated from a clear, flexibleand non-resilient material selected from the group consisting ofplastic, paper and cardboard including an alignment groove at each endthereof; at least two mounting hooks in parallel alignment secured tosaid carrier for engaging wire mounting means on the back of saidpicture or wall object; affixation means for affixing said carrier tothe wall; and leveling means for leveling the carrier.
 9. The fasteningdevice of claim 8, wherein said level means comprises a bubble level.10. The fastening device of claim 8, where said affixation means arenails which can be driven through said mounting hooks and said carrierto affix the device to the wall.
 11. The fastening device of claim 8,wherein said affixation means is a releasable adhesive material foraffixing the carrier to the wall.
 12. A method for hanging a picture orother wall object on a wall, said method comprising the steps of:providing a fastening device of the type having: a soft and pliablecarrier fabricated from a clear, flexible and non-resilient materialselected from the group consisting of plastic, paper and cardboard; atleast two mounting hooks in parallel alignment secured to said carrierfor engaging wire mounting means on the back of said picture or wallobject; and affixation means for affixing said carrier to the wall;affixing said pliable carrier to said wall; and mounting said picture orother wall object onto said fastening device by engaging the wiremounting means on the back of the picture or wall object with themounting hooks on said pliable carrier.
 13. A method for hanging apicture or other wall object on a wall, said method comprising the stepsof: providing a fastening device of the type including: a soft andpliable carrier fabricated from a clear, flexible and non-resilientmaterial selected from the group consisting of plastic, paper andcardboard and including alignment grooves at opposite ends thereof; atleast two mounting hooks in parallel alignment secured to said pliablecarrier for engaging wire mounting means on the back of said picture orwall object, affixation means for affixing said pliable carrier to thewall; and leveling means for leveling the pliable carrier; positioningthe pliable carrier on the wall such that the alignment grooves arealigned with any mark placed on the wall and the leveling meansindicating that the pliable carrier is level; affixing said pliablecarrier to said wall; and mounting said picture or other wall objectonto said fastening device by engaging the wire mounting means on theback of the picture or wall object with the mounting hooks on saidpliable carrier.